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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

I made my FeeJee mermaid last night and it didn't take to long at all. To get a plushy done in an evening is not something I'm used to. It was very hard for me to not go crazy and embellish this guy. I'm pretty happy how he turned out. I was still able to pay attention to details without doing so much hand stitching. I think he still looks like I made it, he looks like my illustration and seems to have a story to tell, which I strive for. I think he'd be funny hung on a plaque like a real fish...like a real dead stuffed fish.:D He measures 14"H x 4"W.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Yes...again! I know, I keep going coming back to this character. I can't help it. I've officially painted, sculpted, or sewn a FeeJee Mermaid 5 or 6 times in the last 10 years. It's about every other year I get drawn back to this creature. I always seem to find a little more information about him every time too. This time I found a great article at the Museum of Hoaxes website.I chose do another FeeJee Mermaid because I've been trying to come up with a character I could do simple enough and complete in an evening. I tend to get carried away with detailing and the complexity of my plush, I love a challenge. But I've been trying to create a plushy that is simple but still looks like I created it. Plus this guy shows my sense of humor as well as interest in weird stuff. Cute and odd, the perfect combo.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

This dress is made from Butterick pattern 4386. It is super fast. You can easily get one made in an evening. I had to do a little altering. I made the darts bigger in the back because it wasn't hanging right. I can't remember who makes the print but it's super cute and springy. I thought my squirrel head would looke really good with this dress.

Monday, March 23, 2009

After about two months of walking past the Orla Kiely display at Target I caved in and bought some stuff. I kept telling myself I just don't need more "stuff" even though I loved what I saw. I know a lot of people are taking the tablecloths and towels and reworking them. So I decided I need a new tote bag and since I can't afford a real Orla Kiely bag I'd make one myself. I live in the midwest and the Orla Kiely stuff isn't exactly flying off the shelves. Which is a good thing for me, more for me!I used the two set dishtowels that come in blue and white flowers. I had some great orangey velvety material that I used on the bottom and a brown cotton woven strap. I did use a fair amount of interfacing as well as a heavy canvas that is fused to the blue lining. I'm not a fan of what I call "droopy bags", I like a bit of structure to my bags. That way everything stays nice and neat inside. I also added two areas for pockets on either side on the inside. It measures 12" x 14". Of course now I'm thinking of turning a table cloth into a skirt. I keep coming up with new sewing projects when I really need to get back to my plushies.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

I REALLY wanted to dress my daughter up like a leprechaun yesterday but thought about it to late and didn't have the time to make a costume. I did however make a hat with a beard. I used Simplicity pattern 3537. I just used fleece and didn't add any lining. This was a rush project done the night before St. Patty's day. I added an orange pom-pom but it still needed more. That's when I added the beard. Of course now she looks Scottish. Oh well, we just decided she'd be a Scottish Leprechaun.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

It seems to often that I get excited about being in a group show only to be saddened and discouraged in the end when I don't receive my work back or get payed. It makes me not want to make plush anymore. I know I am not alone. There is currently a mass email going around to participants of a plush show that was held this summer about this very subject. I've stressed out about this to many times. Here's what I've come up with that I think will help me and hopefully help others avoid this.

It seems that many crafters have had problems with dealers or galleries. The main complaints seem to be having trouble collecting money, artwork is lost or damaged, you are told that no artwork has been sold when it actually has, and that general communication has stopped between you and the dealer. As artists what can we do to ensure this doesn’t happen?

I think the main answer to that is ask lots of questions. Here are some questions that I think are fine to ask without seeming nosey or annoying.

(At this point you obviously know when and where the show is.)1. (If you don’t know) How soon before the show opens do you need the artwork?2. Do you save the box the artwork is shipped in?3. Do I need to include return labels with my sent artwork?4. Do I need to pay return postage if my artwork doesn’t sell? 5. Do I need to send return postage with my art work? 6. How do you accept payment for return shipping? (Paypal, personal check, etc.)7. If my work does not sell, how soon after the show closes do you return unsold work?8. Do I need to label my artwork? (name, title, price, etc.)9. Do you take a commission and how much?10. If my work sells, how soon after the show closes do you send out payment?11. How do you send out payment? (check, Paypal)12. Do you need an invoice of sold item(s)?

other questions you might want to ask

13. Have you put together a show before?14. How many participants are involved?15. Do you have a website?16. Is there a press release for the show? If so can I get a copy?

I've created an invoice and inventory file that you might find handy too. I also have this in pdf form I could mail to anyone interested.

I think people will be less likely to take advantage of you if they see how organized and professional you come across and if you start asking questions.GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!PLEASE FEEL TO LEAVE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS OR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT HELP.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Two years ago I set up an Etsy account with every intention of selling some work. I soon realized I just don't have the time to make a lot of plushies and sell them outside the gallery scene. With a full time job and baby now, I just don't have the time or energy. And I'm not big on making duplicates because I start to feel like a little factory and it is no longer fun. So I decided to sell what pieces were left over from gallery shows that I've done. There's nothing wrong with them. They just didn't sell for whatever reason and I'm finding I don't have the storage to keep them. Besides they'd love homes that could display them and show them off. If I should ever find time in the future I'll post some work. So if you're interested go here. Or click the Etsy logo to the right.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Every February and March I start sewing some clothing for the summer. I wasn't able to last year because I was super busy with a new baby. But this year I've gone crazy. I haven't sewn anything for myself for so long, it feels great.Here are some great fabrics I've picked up recently. Most of these are going to be outfits for my daughter for the summer. I need to wait a month or two before I start these though.I picked up Simplicity pattern 2922. I was a little apprehensive having never sewn one of these Project Runway patterns. However the fit was pretty good. The pattern runs a little big so I had to take it in. I also added darts in the back so it has a little bit more form to it and doesn't hang like a tent.Here's some of the pieces I've finished.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

So I had to post the doll and dress in action. She is ridiculously cute. The doll was a big hit. I can't believe it's been a year. Better, I can't believe I managed to get as much of my own work done as well as run two blogs, a website, a flikr account and now facebook account. I would have loved to have posted more but it's more fun playing peekaboo!